The Minnesota Twins released a minor league catcher on Thursday after finding out that he was telling opposing hitters what pitch his team was throwing, reports ESPN.
Derek Bender, the team’s sixth-round selection in this year’s MLB Draft out of Coastal Carolina, played for the Twins’ Single-A affiliate in Fort Myers, Florida. The Mighty Mussels, who play in the Florida State League, were eliminated from playoff consideration with a second-half record of 35-25. (Fort Myers had a first-half record of 31-34.)
During the second game of a Sept. 6 doubleheader, Bender tipped pitches from pitcher Ross Dunn to hitters from the Lakeland Flying Tigers, according to the ESPN report. Lakeland scored four runs in the second inning on the way to a 6-0 victory and won the Florida State League West division. Fort Myers squandered a six-game division lead during the season’s final three weeks.
Following the game, Lakeland coaches informed Fort Myers coaches about what Bender did. There were reportedly no indications that Flying Tigers batters were aware of Bender’s intentions, nor were there attempts to steal signs or any such actions.
The catcher apparently told teammates that he wanted the season to be finished, according to ESPN. Bender was banished to the team’s bullpen for the final two games of the season instead of being allowed in the dugout.
Bender, 21, batted .200 with a .606 OPS, two home runs and eight RBI in 19 games (67 plate appearances) with Fort Myers. Defensively, he threw out four of 24 baserunners (17%) at catcher and allowed no passed balls or wild pitches.
Neither Bender, his agent nor the Twins commented on the development.
In three years at Coastal Carolina, Bender hit .326 with a .979 OPS, 22 doubles, 32 homers, 153 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 144 games. He also played in the Coastal Plain League and Cape Cod League during his college career.
